Sunday Music Muse Day - Allan Holdsworth, AMM III

This Memorial Day weekend Sunday Music Muse Day finds me offering a hit, and a miss.  First, the hit, Allan Holdsworth FLATTire: Music for A Non-Existent Movie.  This solo CD with Holdsworth on the Synthaxe (guitar synthesizer) and guitar, with Dave Carpenter appearing on acoustic bass on two of the nine tunes, feels like a session of casual personal exploration, maybe not meant for general release. Taken in that context, it's a pleasant enough listening experience.  Worth the time for any long-time Holdworth fans,

Next, is a complete miss on my part.  AMM III - It Had Been An Ordinary Day in Pueblo, Colorado. Yeah, the music is just as pretentious as the CD title. I have only myself to blame, the "red flags" were in plain sight on the cover and liner note pics.  The duo of Keith Rowe on guitar and "prepared guitar", and Eddie Prevost on drum, were both unknown to me.  I picked this up on the strength of being an ECM release, granted a 1979 session.  This is definitely, an avant-garde/free jazz/soundscape affair.  Not my taste in the least, but I did give it two full listens. Your mileage, or musical tolerance, may vary. 

As I post on FB, I try to be mindful of the true meaning of Memorial Day, a time to remember and reflect on the fallen who give their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights they believed in. Hoping you do the same. Peace.
 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Alan Holdsworth, a Tribute

Today's Sunday Music Muse day is in tribute to guitarist Allan Holdsworth who passed away unexpectedly this past Saturday , April 15, 2017.  He was one of my favorite Jazz Fusion guitarist, with a style and sound all his own.  This NPR radio post had a wonderful write up on him. http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/04/17/524332013/allan-holdsworth-revered-fusion-guitarist-dies-at-70

As I was visiting my local record shops for the 10th annual Record Store Day, Allan Holdsworth latest released Eidolon: The Allan Holdsworth Collection was a must have.  
 Eidolon is 2-Disc best of collection with the tracks chosen by Holdsworth himself form his solo group recording. It is curious to compare his best selection to your own favorites for his albums picks.

In sharing memories of him and his music with my friend, Rodney, I felt compelled to pullout all my Holdsworth LPs, CDs, with him as a leader and sideman.  I think I'm only missing three of his solo albums.  Seeing his name on other artists records lead me to pick them up.  Holdsworth also played with two of my favorite drummers, Tony Williams and Bill Bruford.

When I review my collection, I know I spend many hours of enjoyment listening to his music, and will continue to do so.  I guess that is the best legacy of any artist.  RIP, Allen Holdsworth, and thanks for the music.